Kota, Rajasthan
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| कोटा (Kota) | |
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| Country |  India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District(s) | Kota |
| Population • Density |
695,899 (2001[update]) • 288 /km2 (746 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 271 m (889 ft) |
| Website | kota.nic.in |
Coordinates: 25°11′N 75°50′E / 25.18°N 75.83°E
Kota (Hindi:कोटा koṭa) formerly known as Kotah, is a city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, the city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of metal handcrafts. Kota is one of the major industrial hubs in northern India, with many prominent chemical and engineering companies based here. The rail junction, a road hub, lies 4.8 km (3 mi) to the north.
Kota is famous for its distinctive style of painting. Kota is well known for its saris, stone products and a vibrant education sector. In fact, the numerous coaching centres which prepare aspirants for India's elite engineering and medical colleges have given a totally new character and identity to the city. The Crosthwaite Institute is located in Kota, as are old and new palaces of the Maharao (the maharajahs).
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[edit] Geography
Kota is located along the eastern bank of the Chambal River in the southern part of Rajasthan. The exact cartographic coordinates are 25°11′N 75°50′E / 25.18°N 75.83°E.[1] It covers an area of approximately 12,436 km² (3.63 per cent of the Rajasthan State).[2] It has an average elevation of 271 metres (889 ft). The district is bound on the north and north west by Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Bundi districts. The Chambal River separates these districts from Kota district, forming the natural boundary.
Distance from Major Cities
[edit] Climate
The climate of the city is of the tropical type due to the proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and is subject to extremes of heat during summer, and has mildly cold winters. The summer season in Kota lasts from April to late October. The average temperature in the daytime hovers around 42.6°C. The average temperature falls in the range of 29.7°C (max) to 9°C (min) during wintertime.
The average annual rainfall in the Kota district is 885.6 mm.[2] Most of the rainfall can be attributed to the southwest monsoon which has its beginning around the last week of June and may last till mid-September. Pre-monsoon showers begin towards the middle of June and post-monsoon rains occasionally occur in October. In the winter season also, there is sometimes a little rainfall associated with the passing western distribution over the region.
[edit] History of Kota
The history of the city dates back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture.
The Independent state of Kota became a reality in 1631 when Rao Madho Singh, the second son of Rao Ratan of Bundi was made the ruler, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Soon Kota outgrew its parent state to become bigger in area, richer in revenue and more powerful. Maharao Bhim Singh played a pivotal role in Kota's history, having held a 'Mansab' of five thousand and being the first in his dynasty to have the title of Maharao. Kota is situated on the banks of Chambal river and is fastly emerging as an important industrial centre. It boasts of Asia's largest fertilizer plant, precision instrument unit and atomic power station nearby. Surprisingly unexplored, the Kota region of Rajasthan has some splendid treasures for the tourist to take home memories.
Kota is Rajasthan's Fifth Largest City. This bustling,sprawling city is also called the industrial capital of the state
[edit] Princely City of Kota
| Princely City: Kota (कोटा) | |
| Region | Hadoti |
| Flag of 19th c. |  |
| Independence from: | Bundi State |
| State Existed: | 1579-1949 |
| Dynasties | Rajput Chauhan Hada |
| Capital | Kota |
See also: Hadoti
The Kota city became independent in 1579, after Bundi state in Hadoti region become weak. Then, Kotah ruled the territory which now is Kota district and Baran district.
[edit] Places of interest
A beautifully landscaped garden at the Amar Niwas. Its lush surroundings make it a popular picnic spot offering enjoyable boat rides. Presence of the River Chambal at one end of the garden makes it a very scenic place.
Situated in the old palace, the museum has a superb collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes and armoury. The museum also houses a rich repository of artistic items used by the Kota rulers.
A part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River, this beautiful setting is ideal for outings and evening strolls.
Housed in the Brijvilas Palace near the Kishore Sagar, the museum displays a rich collection of rare coins, manuscripts and a representative selection of Hadoti sculpture. Especially noteworthy is an exquisitely sculptured statue brought here from Baroli.
Amidst the picturesque artificial lake of Kishore Sagar constructed in 1346 AD by Prince Dher Deh of Bundi stands the enchanting little palace of Jag Mandir. The azure waters around the red-sandstone monument enhances its beauty. Boat-rides can be enjoyed in the lake. The Keshar Bagh, famous for its royal cenotaphs, lies in the vicinity.
This Hanuman Temple is located beside the swiftly flowing Chambal River. It has two high marble towers and huge marble swan built at the top of the entrance gate. It is visited by a large number of devotees especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays when a midnight Aarti of Lord Hanuman is organised.
Other places worth visiting
- Adhar Shila
- Darrah National Park
- Chambal River Ghariyal {Aligator} Reservoir
- Sawan phuhar Water Park,the first and only amusement water park in the Hadoti region.
- Haryali Resort cum restaurant,a resort with a traditional look famous for its Indian,Chinese,Continental cuisines and sizzlers.
- Godavari Dham Mandir, a temple
- Garh Palace
- Umed Bhavan Palace
- Brijraj Bhavan Palace
- Bheetariya Kund
- Pahadajhar Mahadev Water Fall
- Gapernath
- NavGurukul
- Badoli Temples
- Jawahar Sagar Dam
- Chowpaty Bazaar
- Hadoti Traffic Garden
- Chambal Garden
- Tirupati Balaji Temple
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[3] Kota has a population of 1,568,525. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kota has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 62%. In Kota, 13% of the population is under six years of age.
[edit] Transport
The district is well connected with neighbouring districts and with major cities outside the state. National highway No.12 (Jaipur—Jabalpur) passes through the district. The total road length in the district is 1,752 km. as of 31 March 2000.
Delhi—Mumbai railway line passes through the Kota junction. The district has 148.83 km of railway line in the Kota—Ruthia section, 98.72 km on Nagda—Mathura (Mumbai-Delhi) section and 24.26 km on Kota—Chittorgarh section. The broad gauge railway facility between Kota and Jodhpur via Jaipur was inaugurated recently.
Kota Airport (IATA:KTU, ICAO:VIKO) is a small airport[4] connected to Jaipur by domestic airlines. The nearest airport offering international flights is at Jaipur (239 km away).
[edit] Utility services
Electric power is made available to Kota from the generation of electricity from Rana Pratap Sagar dam (172 MW), Jawahar Sagar Dam (99 MW), Kota Thermal Power Station (1045 MW), Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (440 MW). Out of the total 811 villages, 782 were electrified up to 31 March 2000.
The water for irrigation is available from Chambal canal in the tehsils of Ladpura, Digod and Pipalda besides wells/tube wells. All the five towns of the district have already been covered under the drinking water supply scheme.
| Facility | Number |
|---|---|
| Main post offices | 2 |
| Sub post offices | 196 |
| Telephone Exchanges | 44 |
[edit] Economy
The city is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying, and the manufacture of metal handcrafts. Kota also has an extensive industry of stone-polishing of a particular kind of stone called Kota Stone. Kota stone is blue in colour and is used for the floor and walls of both residential and business buildings. It is a cheap alternative to marble. Kota's economy today is driven by the all-India fame of its coaching classes.
[edit] Kota doria
Kota in Rajasthan is famous for the fine translucent muslins called Masuria Malmal. Originally, such saris were called Masuria because they were woven in Mysore. The weavers were subsequently brought to Kota by Rao Kishore Singh who was a general in the Mughal army. The weavers were brought to Kota in the late 17th and early 18th centuries and the saris came to be known as 'Kota-Masuria'. Kota saris are popularly known as 'Masuria' in Kota and Kotadoria outside the state. 'Doria' means thread.
[edit] Kota stone
The fine-grained variety of limestone is known as Kota stone. The rich greenish-blue and brown colours of this stone are most popular. Kota stone is preferred for flooring and wall cladding, paving and facades of buildings. This is because they have the unique properties of limestones. They are very tough, non water-absorbent, non-slip, non-porous and have excellent stain removability. Moreover, their resistance to wear and delamination is higher than other stones. They are available in different sizes and thicknesses. The varieties include Kota Blue Natural, Kota Blue Honed, Kota Blue Polished, Kota Blue Cobbles, Kota Brown Natural and Kota Brown Polished.
[edit] Major companies
Kota is major industrial hub in Rajasthan with many prominent chemical and engineering companies based in the city.
[edit] Chambal Fertilisers
Established in the year 1985, Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (CFCL) grew into the largest manufacturer of Urea in the private sector with an installed capacity of 1.5 million tonnes per annum. CFCL has been a dividend-paying company since its first full year of commercial production. The fertiliser plant is located at Gadepan, Kota district, Rajasthan. The main activity of CFCL is the manufacture of nitrogenous fertiliser viz. production of Urea. CFCL is also involved in trading of many agricultural inputs. The Company has also entered into the software, spinning and miniature potato seeds businesses.
[edit] DSCL
DSCL, a Rs. 2500 crore+ diversified business group based in North India. Founded by Sir Shriram in 1889 (as DCM limited), today DCM Shriram Consolidated Limited ( DSCL) is managed by Mr. Ajay S. Shriram, Chairman and Senior Managing Director and Mr. Vikram S. Shriram, Vice Chairman and Managing Director along with a highly professional executive team.
DSCL has a strong brand equity reflective of credibility, ethical values and consistent high quality product image. With over 30 years of experience in managing large scale process industries with sustained high level of performance, DSCL meets the needs of a wide range of customers from farmers to industrial users, from house builders to business owners.
[edit] Instrumentation Ltd
Instrumentation Limited (better known as IL) is a Government Of India enterprise set up in 1964 with the prime objective of attaining self reliance in the field of Control and Automation for the process industry. Today IL is manufacturing and supplying state of the art control equipment on a turnkey basis to various sectors of Industry viz. Power, Steel, Fertilizer, Chemical, Petrochemical, Refineries, Pharmaceutical, Cement, Paper, Textile, Space, and Oil and Gas.
== Shriram Rayons ==
Shriram Rayons is a unit of DCM Shriram Industries Ltd, which was set up in 1965 with an objective to produce and export High Tenacity Rayon Yarn and give the employement. The copmany now exports its product to Europe, Asian Pacific Countries and USA.
[edit] Education
See List of universities and colleges in Kota, Rajasthan
The coaching classes of Kota, have year after year produced exceptionally high success rates in the all-India entrance exams to the IITs and medical colleges. However, the educational institutions have faced criticism for charging high fees and thus allowing only the more affluent students a chance to prepare for IIT. Many IIT faculty and some alumni also feel that the IIT-JEE should not be prepared for so intensely and in such a gruelling atmosphere. Even so, a large number of students, from all over the country prefer to undergo training at these institutions because of the generally high success rates they boast of. One-third of those accepted studied in one of Kota's coaching schools. The city is such a major destination for teens studying for the IIT-JEE that in the last few years it has become a bit of a boomtown, with bike shops, restaurants and hotels opening up, as well as the launch of the first commercial flights.
[edit] External links
- Official Website of Kota District
- Kota, Rajasthan travel guide from Wikitravel
- Rajasthan Tourism
- Kota Detailed Information with Map
- Kota Information
- A tourist's description of Kota
[edit] References
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Kota
- ^ a b Statistics by Govt. of Rajasthan
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved on 2008-11-01.
- ^ Kota Airport on AAI Website
[edit] Further reading
- Tod James Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan: Or, The Central and Western Rajpoot States of India Published 2001 Asian Educational Services ISBN 8120612892 pp. 407-690
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